Apparatus and method for sensing and displaying images

ABSTRACT

According to an image sensing apparatus and an image display method therefor of this embodiment, since a preview image to be photographed and a viewing thumbnail image can be simultaneously displayed on one screen, and the display form can be arbitrarily changed by a simple selection operation on the screen, the visibility and operability of the image sensing apparatus can be largely improved.

This application is a divisional application of U.S. Ser. No.09/028,227, filed Feb. 23, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,515,704, which isincorporated herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an image sensing apparatus and an imagedisplay method therefor and, more particularly, to an image displaymethod of displaying an input image and photographed image in an imagesensing apparatus.

A conventional image sensing apparatus such as a digital camera has animage display device such as an LCD, and a display method of switching astate wherein the input image of the CCD camera in photographing isdisplayed (finder display) and a state wherein the photographed imagecan be viewed (viewer display) is known well.

Some apparatuses simultaneously display a plurality of thumbnail images(reduced images based on a predetermined file format) to facilitatesearch for a desired image in the image viewing state.

In an image sensing apparatus allowing continuous photographing,generally, the display is switched from the photographing state to theviewing state after photographing so that the photographed image can beviewed. More specifically, in the conventional image sensing apparatus,the photographing state and viewing state are appropriately switched anddisplayed by the user operations: the preview image display in thephotographing state and the thumbnail image display in the viewing stateare switched.

However, the conventional image sensing apparatus such as a digitalcamera has as its feature portability based on its compact body, and anincrease in number of operating buttons is undesirable. For this reason,most conventional image sensing apparatuses assign a plurality ofnumbers of functions to one operating button. Such an arrangementrequires a complex operation to switch the display state or view adesired image. The user must thoroughly read the operation manual tosufficiently understand the functions of the image sensing apparatus;otherwise, the user may erroneously use the apparatus. That is, theconventional image sensing apparatus is not always convenient to use forthe user.

In the image sensing apparatus allowing continuous photographing, aplurality of images are continuously photographed, so the photographedimages cannot be confirmed during photographing. When a series ofmovements of, e.g., a golf swing are to be continuously photographedwith the conventional digital camera, only the current instantaneousimage can be confirmed. That is, the continuous images which have beenphotographed so far cannot be confirmed during photographing.

In addition, if the user has failed to photograph a desired image, theconventional digital camera requires a series of operations of viewing,confirmation, and delete after all images have been photographed, andthe display method has been switched to the image viewing state. This iscumbersome for the user, and simultaneously, since wasteful images arephotographed, the load on the memory for storing images increases.

As described above, the advantage of the digital camera, i.e., theinstantaneity which allows instantaneous confirmation of the imagephotographed with the CCD degrades because the finder display and viewerdisplay must be switched on the same screen.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an image sensingapparatus for simultaneously displaying an object image and an imageheld in the apparatus, and an image display method therefor.

According to the present invention, the foregoing object is attained byproviding an image sensing apparatus comprising an image sensingapparatus comprising input means for inputting an object image to obtainimage data, instruction means for generating an instruction for holdingthe image data input by the input means, hold means for holding theimage data input by the input means on the basis of the instruction fromthe instruction means, and display means for simultaneously displayingthe image data input by the input means and the image data held by thehold means.

In accordance with the present invention as described above, inphotographing, the user can simultaneously recognize the object image tobe photographed and the photographed image already held in theapparatus.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an imagesensing apparatus capable of showing details of a photographed image,and an image display method therefor.

According to the present invention, the foregoing object is attained byproviding an image sensing apparatus comprising selection means forselecting one of the plurality of second display areas of the displaymeans as an object to be viewed, and wherein the display means displaysdetails of the thumbnail image which has been displayed in the seconddisplay area selected by the selection means in the first display area.

In accordance with the present invention as described above, the usercan view an arbitrary photographed image.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an imagesensing apparatus capable of showing all photographed images, and animage display method therefor.

According to the present invention, the foregoing object is attained byproviding an image sensing apparatus comprising the display means havingan index area for updating the plurality of thumbnail images displayedin the plurality of second display areas, on the basis of a compressedimage held by the hold means.

In accordance with the present invention as described above, even whenthe number of photographed images is large, the user can view all theimages by appropriately operating an index on the display means.

The invention is particularly advantageous since, in photographing, theuser can simultaneously recognize the preview image for photographingand a photographed thumbnail image, the visibility and operability ofthe image sensing apparatus can be largely improved.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate thesame or similar parts throughout the figures thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and,together with the description, serve to explain the principles of theinvention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of an image sensingapparatus according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a view showing the layout of the display screen in the firstembodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing image display processing in the firstembodiment;

FIGS. 4 to 7 are views for explaining a thumbnail image display methodof the first embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a view for explaining a thumbnail image display method of thefirst modification of the first embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a view for explaining a thumbnail image display method of thesecond modification of the first embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a view showing the screen display in a TV conference systemaccording to the second embodiment; and

FIG. 11 is a view showing the structural features of the control programof the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described indetail in accordance with the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of an image sensingapparatus, i.e., a digital camera according to the first embodiment.Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an image sensingsection for photographing people, and paintings and calligraphic works;2, a driving section for moving the photographing range of the imagesensing section 1; 3, an image input processing section for convertingthe image signal input from the camera 1 into image data to be used forvarious application purposes; 4, a memory input control section fordesignating a memory area or performing timing control in inputting theimage data from the image input processing section 3 in a memory 5; and6, a memory output control section for designating a memory area orperforming timing control in reading out the image data from the memory5 and transferring the image data to a whole control section 7. Thewhole control section 7 controls whole processing of receiving imagedata, processing the image data, and outputting it. The whole controlsection 7 has a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU executes a controlprogram held in the ROM using the RAM as a work area to perform control.Reference numeral 8 denotes a storage section for storing compressedimage data; 9, a display section for displaying image data on an LCD orthe like; and 10, an output section for printing image data on arecording paper sheet, a communication section 11 for performingcommunication to transmit/receive image data to/from a partner terminal.The display section 9 has a display memory 91 and displays image data inaccordance with contents held in the display memory 91. Referencenumeral 12 denote an operating section for inputting a user instructionor notifying the state of the apparatus. The operation section 12 has ashutter button or the like with which the user instructs to receive astill image. The viewing instruction of this embodiment is input fromthe operating section 12.

The operation of the digital camera according to this embodiment havingthe above arrangement will be described below. First, the drivingsection 2 is driven in accordance with an instruction from the wholecontrol section 7 so that the image sensing region from the imagesensing section 1 is set at a predetermined position. Next, an imagesignal input from the image sensing section 1 is converted into imagedata through the image input processing section 3.

The image sensing section 1 of this embodiment can input not only thestill image but also a moving image based on a composite signal of NTSCor PAL. If a composite signal is input, the image input processingsection 3 YC-separates it into a Y signal (luminance signal) and Csignals (color difference signals) and then separates the C signals intoa Cr signal and a Cb signal. The resultant Y, Cr, and Cb signals areA/D-converted. If color space conversion is necessary, color spaceconversion processing of converting them into R (Red), G (Green), and B(Blue) signals is performed. If format conversion, resolutionconversion, or magnification conversion is necessary, pixel densityconversion processing, and accordingly, interpolation processing using afilter and the like are performed.

The image data prepared in the above manner is stored in a predeterminedarea of the memory 5 designated by the memory input control section 4.Under the control of the whole control section 7, when the image datastored in the memory 5 is to be output onto a recording paper sheet, theimage data is transferred to the output section 10 and output. When theimage data is to be stored, the image data is compressed and thentransferred to the storage section 8 and stored. When the image data isto be displayed, the image data is transferred to the display memory 91of the display section 9 and displayed. When the image data is to betransferred to a distant place or another terminal, the image data istransferred to the communication section 11 and transmitted. In thisembodiment, the image data temporarily stored in the memory 5 isdisplayed in a predetermined area of the display section 9 as aphotographing preview image. The compressed image data stored in thestorage section 8 is displayed in a predetermined area of the displaysection 9 as a viewing thumbnail image.

The image display method of the display section 9 as the characteristicfeature of this embodiment will be described next.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a display layout example of the display section9. Referring to FIG. 2, reference numeral 100 denotes an actual entiredisplay screen of the display section 9, which is constituted by, e.g.,an LCD; 101, a main image display portion as a window at the center ofthe screen, on which a photographing preview image is mainly displayed;and 102 to 113, a plurality of subwindows at the peripheral portion ofthe screen, on which photographed viewing thumbnail images are displayedin time series. When the initial position of the viewing thumbnail imagedisplay is set at, e.g., the subwindow 102, the viewing thumbnail imagesare sequentially displayed on the subwindows 102 to 113 in time series.Arrows 114 and 115 at the lower portion of the display screen 100indicate indices which are selected to switch the viewing thumbnailimages to earlier or later images. For example, by a simple operationequivalent to the general window operation of moving the cursor andclicking it on the screen to select the index 114 or 115, the viewingthumbnail images on the subwindows 102 to 113 are switched.

Display processing of this embodiment will be described next in detailwith reference to FIGS. 3 to 7. FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing imagedisplay processing of this embodiment. The processing shown in the flowchart is controlled by the whole control section 7. FIGS. 4 to 7 areviews for explaining the thumbnail image display method of thisembodiment.

Simultaneously with the start of photographing, the preview image of anobject to be photographed is displayed on the main image display portion101 of the display section 9. The user photographs the object whileobserving the preview image (S10).

It is determined whether photographing is performed, i.e., whether theuser depresses the shutter of the operating section 12 to instruct toreceive the preview image in the memory 5 (S11). If YES in step S11, thephotographed image is subjected to processing such as compression andthen stored in the storage section 8 (S12). At this time, to update thethumbnail images to be displayed on the subwindows 102 to 113 at theperipheral portion of the screen, a thumbnail image based on the newcompressed image stored in the storage section 8 is prepared and storedin the display memory 91 (S13). The new thumbnail image is displayed onan appropriate one of the subwindows 102 to 113 (S14).

In the subwindows 102 to 113 of this embodiment, e.g., the initialposition is set at the subwindow 102, and the thumbnail images aredisplayed in the clockwise direction every time a new image isphotographed. An example is shown in FIG. 4. The upper half of FIG. 4shows a state wherein the photographed thumbnail images are sequentiallybeing displayed in the subwindows 102 to 104 from the oldest image. Whena photographing instruction for the preview image displayed on the mainimage display portion 101 is generated, the preview image is newlystored in the storage section 8, and at the same time, displayed on thesubwindow 105, as shown at the lower half of FIG. 4. More specifically,a thumbnail image is displayed on the subwindow 102 first. Every time anew compressed image is stored in the storage section 8, thumbnailimages are sequentially displayed on the subwindows 103 to 113.

As shown in FIG. 5, after the thumbnail image is displayed on thesubwindow 113 upon making round of subwindows for thumbnail imagedisplay, new thumbnail images are sequentially displayed in theclockwise direction from the subwindow 102 every time a new image isphotographed. More specifically, when a photographing instruction forthe thumbnail image displayed on the main image display portion 101 atthe upper half of FIG. 5 is generated, display on the subwindows 102 to113 is cleared, and the new thumbnail images are sequentially displayedfrom the subwindow 102. In this embodiment, the thumbnail imagesdisplayed on the subwindows 102 to 113 at the upper half of FIG. 5 aredeleted from the screen as a new thumbnail image is displayed, as shownat the lower half of FIG. 5. In this case, the thumbnail images deletedfrom the screen are merely deleted from the display memory 91, and thecorresponding compressed image data are still held in the storagesection 8. Therefore, the image data can be read out from the storagesection 8 by operating the index 114 or 115, so each thumbnail image canbe displayed on an appropriate subwindow again.

If NO in step S11, it is determined whether any one of the thumbnailimages displayed on the subwindows 102 to 113 is selected by the useroperation of the operating section 12 (S16). Selection of a thumbnailimage, i.e., a viewing instruction is input by, e.g., moving the cursorand clicking it. This viewing instruction may also be input by directlyselecting a thumbnail image on the display screen by a pen input.

If YES in step S16, compressed image data corresponding to the selectedthumbnail image is read out from the storage section 8, expanded, andenlarged so the details are displayed at the main image display portion101 at the center of the screen (S17). FIG. 6 shows this state. In FIG.6, the thumbnail image on the subwindow 103 is designated as a viewingimage.

When an instruction for completion of confirmation of the enlarged anddisplayed thumbnail image, i.e., completion of viewing the photographedimage is input by the user (S18), display at the main image displayportion 101 is returned to the normal preview image (upper half of FIG.6) (S10).

If NO in step S16, it is determined whether the index 114 or 115 isselected (S19). If the index 114 or 115 is selected, earlier or laterimages to be displayed on the subwindows 102 to 113 are sequentiallydetermined from the compressed image group stored in the storage section8 to update thumbnail image display on all the subwindows 102 to 113(S20). FIG. 7 shows this state. In FIG. 7, the index 114 is selected toreplace all thumbnail images with earlier images. If the index 115 isselected in the state shown at the lower half of FIG. 7, the displayreturns to that shown at the upper half of FIG. 7, as a matter ofcourse. In this embodiment, an arbitrary thumbnail image is be searchedfor by operating the indices 114 and 115, and when an arbitrarythumbnail image is selected as described above, details of the image canbe viewed. In addition, photographed images in an arbitraryphotographing period can be confirmed.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the preview imagefor photographing and thumbnail image for viewing can be simultaneouslydisplayed on the same screen. In addition, since the display form can bearbitrarily changed by a simple selection operation on the screen, thevisibility and operability in the image sensing apparatus can be largelyimproved.

The image quality modes (the modes are classified into “fine”, “normal”,and “economy” depending on the data compression rate) of an imagedisplayed in this embodiment, and the size of the main image displayportion 101 or the subwindows 102 to 113 are not limited to specificones, and they can be arbitrarily set in accordance with the compressionscheme (e.g., JPEG) or file format (e.g., TIFF) used for the images.

First Modification of First Embodiment

In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, thumbnail image aresequentially additionally displayed in the clockwise direction on thesubwindows at the peripheral portion of the screen every time a newimage is photographed. However, the present invention is not limited tothis. For example, the latest image may be always displayed on apredetermined window set as the initial position, and the thumbnailimage previously displayed on the subwindow may be shifted in theclockwise direction and redisplayed. FIG. 8 shows this example. In FIG.8, the latest thumbnail image is always displayed on the subwindow 102.When a photographing instruction for the preview image which is beingcurrently displayed at the main image display portion 101 is generated,the preview image is stored in the storage section 8, andsimultaneously, the thumbnail image of the image is displayed on thesubwindow 102. At this time, the thumbnail images displayed on thesubwindows 102 to 104 are sequentially shifted by one area to thesubwindows 103 to 105, respectively, and displayed, as shown at thelower half of FIG. 8.

When the latest thumbnail image display area is fixed, the user canalways recognize the latest photographed image at a glance.

Second Modification of First Embodiment

In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, when thumbnail images aredisplayed on all the subwindows 102 to 113, display on the subwindows102 to 113 is cleared upon newly performing photographing. However, thepresent invention is not limited to this example. For example, when anew image is photographed after thumbnail images have been displayed onall the subwindows 102 to 113, only display on the subwindow 102 as theinitial position may be updated to the latest thumbnail image withoutchanging display on the remaining subwindows. FIG. 9 shows this example.In FIG. 9, when the thumbnail image displayed at the main image displayportion 101 shown at the upper half of FIG. 9 is photographed, onlythumbnail image display on the subwindow 102 is updated, as shown at thelower half of FIG. 9. In this example, when the next image isphotographed, only thumbnail image display on the subwindow 103 isupdated. In the same manner, thumbnail image display is sequentiallyupdated clockwise every time a new image is photographed.

When only the latest thumbnail image is updated without clearing all thesubwindows upon photographing a new image while thumbnail images arebeing on all the subwindows, the user can always refer to apredetermined number of newly thumbnail images (12 thumbnail images inthis embodiment). In this case, to identify the latest thumbnail image,a predetermined mark may be effectively added to the latest thumbnailimage.

Second Embodiment

The second embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

In the second embodiment, the image display method of the digital cameradescribed in the first embodiment is applied to a TV conference system.FIG. 10 shows an example of the display screen of a TV conferencesystem.

Referring to FIG. 10, reference numeral 200 denotes a display screen;201, a main image display portion for displaying a speaker in the TVconference or reference data for conference; and 202 to 213, peripheralportions as subwindows which display participants of the conference.

The operation will be described next.

When the display screen of the image display method for a digital cameraas shown in FIG. 3 is to be applied to a simple TV conference system,the speaker and the conference reference such as an original or drawingare enlarged and displayed at the main image display portion 201 at thecenter while the participants of the conference are displayed at theperipheral portions 202 to 213.

The speaker displayed at the main image display portion 201 isautomatically switched. When a person displayed at the peripheralportion as a conference participant is to speak, he/she is displayed atthe main image display portion 201 while the image of the previousspeaker is displayed at the peripheral portion as a participant. Thedisplay is automatically switched in this manner so that the conferenceprogresses. The user can observe the progress of the conference whilerecognizing the conference participants and the current speaker withoutoperating the camera.

When the camera is connected to a telephone line, the apparatus can beused as a TV phone terminal. In this case as well, the partner can bedisplayed at the main image display portion 201 at the center while therecent portraits of family members or colleagues are displayed at theperipheral portions 202 to 213.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the method ofsimultaneously displaying images for different dimensions such asphotographing and viewing can be applied to a simple TV conferenceterminal or a simple TV phone terminal. Therefore, a simple TVconference system for a small group can be easily constituted usinginexpensive communication protocol or TV conference software. Inaddition, persons in outdoors can participate the conference using thesimple TV conference system in units of companies or groups throughmobile communication.

Third Embodiment

The third embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

In the third embodiment, a digital camera having, as its characteristicfeature, the image display method according to the above-described firstembodiment is applied to the image reception terminal of a fixed cameramonitor system. The display screen is the same as in FIG. 10.

The digital camera of the first embodiment can be applied to the imagereception terminal of a fixed camera monitor system, which receivesimages from monitor cameras set in department stores, various stores,banks, financial agencies, warehouses, factories, transport facilities,or the like and displays the received image using the communicationsection 11.

More specifically, images received from monitor cameras are displayed onperipheral portions 202 to 213, i.e., subwindows of a screen 200 shownin FIG. 3, and an image of interest is enlarged at a main image displayportion 201 to display details. With this method, the user can obtainmore specific monitor information.

According to the third embodiment, by applying the digital cameradescribed in the first embodiment to the monitor camera system, a moreinexpensive and functional camera monitor system can be constituted.

The digital camera can also be applied to a portable image receptionterminal by taking the advantage of portability of the digital camera.This image reception terminal can be carried as a monitor terminal forpatrolling stores. An application purpose for a portable terminal usedin leaving the monitor room can also be considered.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

The object of the present invention can be realized even by supplying astorage medium storing program codes shown in the above-described flowchart to a system or an apparatus, and causing the computer (e.g., aCPU) of the system or the apparatus to read out and execute the programcodes stored in the storage medium, as a matter of course. In this case,the program codes read out from the storage medium achieve the newfunctions of present invention by themselves, and the storage mediumstoring the program codes constitutes the present invention. As thestorage medium for supplying the program codes, a floppy disk, a harddisk, an optical disk, a magnetooptical disk, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape,a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

FIG. 11 shows the structural features of the program of the presentinvention. Modules shown in FIG. 11 corresponds to the respective stepsof the flow chart shown in FIG. 3.

The functions of the above-described embodiments are realized not onlywhen the readout program codes are executed by the computer but alsowhen the OS running on the computer performs part or all of actualprocessing on the basis of the instructions of the program codes torealize the function of the above-described embodiments, as a matter ofcourse.

The present invention can be applied to a system constituted by aplurality of devices such as a scanner, an interface, and a hostcomputer, or to an apparatus comprising a single device such as a videocamera.

As many apparently widely different embodiments of the present inventioncan be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited to the specificembodiments thereof except as defined in the appended claims.

1. An image sensing apparatus comprising: an input unit adapted to inputan object image to obtain image data; an instruction unit adapted togenerate an instruction for holding the image data input by said inputunit; a hold unit adapted to compress and hold the image data input bysaid input unit on the basis of the instruction from said instructionunit; and a display device having a first display area for displayingthe image data input by said input unit as a preview image and aplurality of second display areas for displaying a plurality ofthumbnail images based on the compressed image data held by said holdunit and simultaneously displaying the preview image and the thumbnailimages, wherein said plurality of second display areas are arrangedaround said first display area, and said display device sequentiallydisplays the thumbnail images from the earliest image in a predetermineddirection.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when newcompressed image data is held by said hold unit on the basis of aninstruction from said instruction unit, and the thumbnail images arebeing displayed in all of said plurality of second display areas, saiddisplay device displays a thumbnail image based on the new compressedimage data in said second display area as the initial position.
 3. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein when new compressed image datais held by said hold unit on the basis of an instruction from saidinstruction unit, and the thumbnail images are being displayed in all ofsaid plurality of second display areas, said display device clears thedisplay in all of said plurality of second display areas and thendisplays a thumbnail image based on the new compressed image data insaid second display area as the initial position.
 4. An image sensingapparatus comprising: an input unit adapted to input an object image toobtain image data; an instruction unit adapted to generate aninstruction for holding the image data input by said input unit; a holdunit adapted to compress and hold the image data input by said inputunit on the basis of the instruction from said instruction unit; and adisplay device having a first display area for displaying the image datainput by said input unit as a preview image and a plurality of seconddisplay areas for displaying a plurality of thumbnail images based onthe compressed image data held by said hold unit and simultaneouslydisplay the preview image and the thumbnail images, wherein saidplurality of second display areas are arranged around said first displayarea, and said display device sequentially displays the thumbnail imagesfrom the latest image in a predetermined direction.
 5. The apparatusaccording to claim 4, wherein when new compressed image data is held bysaid hold unit on the basis of an instruction from said instructionunit, and the thumbnail images are being displayed in all of saidplurality of second display areas, said display device displays athumbnail image based on the new compressed image data in said seconddisplay area as the initial position.
 6. The apparatus according toclaim 5, wherein when new compressed image data is held by said holdunit on the basis of an instruction from said instruction unit, and thethumbnail images are being displayed in all of said plurality of seconddisplay areas, said display device clears the display in all of saidplurality of second display areas and then displays a thumbnail imagebased on the new compressed image data in said second display area asthe initial position.
 7. An image display method for an image sensingapparatus, comprising: inputting an object image to obtain image data;generating an instruction for photographing the image data; compressingand holding, in a memory, the input image data on the basis of thephotographing instruction; and simultaneously displaying the input imagedata as a preview image in a first display area of said display and theplurality of thumbnail images based on compressed image data held insaid memory in a plurality of second display areas of said display,wherein said plurality of second display areas are arranged around saidfirst display area, and in displaying the thumbnail images, thethumbnail images are sequentially displayed from the earliest image in apredetermined direction.
 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein indisplaying images, when new compressed image data is held in said memoryon the basis of the photographing, and the thumbnail images are beingdisplayed in all of said plurality of second display areas, a thumbnailimage is displayed based on the new compressed image data in said seconddisplay area as the initial position.
 9. The method according to claim8, wherein in displaying images, when new compressed image data is heldin said memory on the basis of the photographing instruction, and thethumbnail images are being displayed in all of said plurality of seconddisplay areas, the display in all of said plurality of second displayareas is cleared and then a thumbnail image is displayed based on thenew compressed image data in said second display area as the initialposition.
 10. An image display method, comprising: simultaneouslydisplaying input image data as a preview image in a first display areaof a display and the plurality of thumbnail images based on compressedimage data held in memory in a plurality of second display areas of saiddisplay, wherein said plurality of second display areas are arrangedaround said first display area, and in displaying the thumbnail images,the thumbnail images are sequentially displayed from the latest image ina predetermined direction.
 11. The method according to claim 10, whereinin displaying images, when new compressed image data is held in saidmemory on the basis of a photographing instruction, and the thumbnailimages are being displayed in said plurality of second display areas, athumbnail image is displayed based on the new compressed image data insaid second display area as an initial position.